First of all, the new version has a doubled size due to one more platter. The platter write density hardly changed, but the linear density is increased and it must have a positive effect on the linear read speed. Secondly, the average read access time was reduced from 5.2 ms to 4.5 ms, i.e. by 0.7 ms! Thirdly, WD740GD supports Ultra/150 Command Queuing technology (Ultra/150 CQ) which optimizes the command queue. Finally, the FDB motor must improve drive's acoustic characteristics.



Link: Digit-Life